
Sony has doubled the price of Horizon Zero Dawn on PS4 in the aftermath of the announcement of the game’s PS5 remaster. It had previously cost $19.99 or less to purchase the Complete Edition of Guerrilla’s open world outing since 2018, but now, with a $9.99 PS5 remaster on the way, the platform holder has bumped the MSRP on the PS Store to $39.99. In the UK, the price has increased from £15.99 to £34.99.

While it’s not massively surprising, Aloy’s inaugural outing is tagged as a Greatest Hit, and thus is supposed to be part of Sony’s discounted line of software. Increasing the price like this, especially after almost six years, seems a little harsh. Of course, if you already own the game – even through Sony’s pandemic-inspired Play At Home programme – you won’t be affected.
It’s worth noting that you will be able to upgrade physical copies, you’ll just need to make sure you hold on to your PS4 disc, as it’ll be required to run the PS5 remaster if that’s the path you take. Depending on the retailer, you can still grab boxed copies of the game for relatively low prices if you look online.
As disappointing as this all is, Sony is probably planning to charge $49.99 for Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, so this price increase paired with the upgrade fee roughly equates to that – minus a couple of cents here or there. It’s a shady move – especially when you consider how it’s handled this – but at least the upgrade fee remains relatively inexpensive for the millions of people who already own the game.
[source reddit.com]
Comments 97
£8 in CeX for complete edition
@PsBoxSwitchOwner I'd recommend people grab it quickly before CEX catch on. That will almost certainly increase in the coming weeks.
Still £15 for a new copy of the complete edition at Amazon and that's why physical copies are important.
I don't know why you're playing this off as expected. This is the very definition of sleazy business practices.
Funny thing is Sony literally was giving this away during the pandemic.
I bought my complete edition for $10 a year or so after release.
How times change.
@Alps_Stranger 100% agree. It's just wrong.
They revoked peoples digital license for the free giveaway during covid
Physical and 2nd hand market will always be the king.
@Alps_Stranger I guess it's expected as of course they have sleazy business practices
Not a good move, and that's precisely why I'll keep buying my games ON DISCS as long as they'll be available in that format.
The game is still available for 20 €, on physical...
@RagnarLothbrok How so?
Can't remember if I bought it for cheap or got it for free in Covid times? Not played it that much, not my particular cup of tea.
Well that’s scummy. None of this should be played off as otherwise.
Lol I claimed it for free during the pandemic instantly and still have yet to play it lol. Funny how a game that can be given away for free like that and was pennies otherwise, can just have a price increase for literally nothing new, and then pay even more for the minor enhancements on PS5
That is really scummy just to get people to spend 50 dollars on 7 year old game that didn't need a remaster
I wonder how long it will be before new physical copies will increase in price.
Looks like Sony found a great way to go back on the PlayStation Hits discounts for future Remaster releases. 🙄
"Increasing the price like this, especially after almost six years, seems a little harsh." A little? Let's be honest here, game prices are supposed to go down as time goes by, not the other way around. Sony is being greedy here.
I hate when stuff like this happens. It reminds me of Steam and their "regional pricing" thing, that made 5 year old games get a significant price bump here in Brazil. That's when i started buying most PC games on Epic Games (at least the ones that aren't Steam exclusive)
You stay classy, Sonyiego.
Got the complete edition ...but I ain't paying for an upgrade where i will only see the differences when they are put side by side and screenshot ....and half the time I think the original looks better
Just give us new games ..bored of remasters of games that already look great
Will my Horizon zero Dawn launch disc be eligible, or will you need the Complete Edition?
It's becoming increasingly difficult to be a PS fanboy. Man, they suck weenie these days!
This is not sleazy by Sony as some claim, its a clever business decision. This will prevent people from getting the Remaster for cheap by just buying the PS4 version and then upgrade for 10 $. Sony is aware that people will try to exploit this and this is how they counter it. Its called business.
@windxtravelerx
If they didn’t raise the price it would mean anyone could get the new version for £25. So yeah it makes sense. But to counter that it has been given away for free too.
Sony continuing to demonstrate they have absolutely zero concern for us. We are just wallets to be emptied...
@PsBoxSwitchOwner No point talking sense mate, people here to hate and they aint gonna get off that train anytime soon.
I guess they had a choice, either make a £10 upgrade available for us longer term players OR keep the ps4 price cheap.
There's just no excuse for this, it's abysmal stuff from Sony. I hope they don't sell a single copy at this price.
God I hate Sony. People please don't support these unnecessary remasters. Don't even do the 10 upgrade. Let these rot like they should.
Yet so many are more than happy for Sony to go full digital and have complete control over game prices
Eh, not surprised. Though, I already own it, so doesn't affect me.
@Titntin @PsBoxSwitchOwner I get where you're both coming from, but if you're still on the PS4 and by some miracle you have never claimed or played this, then a 7 year old game with no improvements on that platform has just more than doubled in price.
@Titntin I'm not hating them, I'm criticizing them. I'm a PlayStation fan when i have to, now I'm being a customer criticizing what i think it's not right, in my opinion. I don't have to like everything they do
@PsBoxSwitchOwner well, you'd still be spending money on the PS4 version anyway and also paying the upgrade, and this is a 1st party game, so they're getting all the profit. They just want more money here. At least they're letting people that got this game for free to upgrade (not my case, i bought the game full price back in 2018)
@Intr1n5ic that's also a very good point
Dynamic pricing Sony ? Wouldnt expect any less off this once great now scumbag company.
If you don’t already have it, just buy it on disc for cheap if you have the disc console. If not, that’s the problem going all digital: Sony can change the prices whenever unlike a 2nd hand market which used games or even months old new games go for much less
@Alps_Stranger @Bez87 @nessisonett
Is it scummy that they are charging that much for the remaster, or scummy that they closed a loophole that would allow new customers to get the remaster for cheaper?
@RagnarLothbrok But…they didn’t. I still have mine. Got a source for this?
Ofc because they dont want to make it cheaper to get the ps4 version plus upgrade, instead of the new ps5 version.
But, it be better if they kept the ps4 version at same low price, but make the upgrade more costly for those buying the old game starting now, that the new one is announced.
And leave the upgrade cheap for those that already had bought it. Idk,,seems a little more fair maybe.
Then you could wait to buy the upgrade or ps5 version on sale later on.
@Octaslasher I will move to PC next year and enjoy catching Sony-exclusives for free on the high seas. It's not sleazy. It's a clever business decision.
Sony really wants to lose all good faith they've earned during the PS4 era. They need to be knocked down a peg or two.
@Intr1n5ic If youve yet to buy that 7 year old game by now, then I doubt a price rise will matter one jot. Just wait a few months and it will go back down again. 😊
@windxtravelerx Im not sure where I said you have to like everything they do? You appear to be putting words in my mouth.
Its possible to crticise without the kind of hate that some show at every single announcement, and tbf some criticism of this move would and should be expected. I can see why theyve done it of course - if you had a new ps5 and fancied playing Horizon, you certainly wouldnt buy the new remaster to play it if you can buy the old ps4 version so chaep and upgrade for £10. Its a messy situation and I dont think theres a way I can see that they could have solved it and kept everyone happy, so criticism was to be expected. The over the top rhetoric you see spouted so often though is simply a huge over reaction driven by a need to hate. I dont like it, and have as much right to say that as they have a right to spew hate. Critiscm however, is definitely warrented.
@RagnarLothbrok Rubbish. I just tried mine and have full access.
I'm not really sure I understand the crazy backlash to this. I agree it's sneaky (I said as much in the subheadline) but realistically Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is going to sell for $50 when it launches. This makes the game and $10 upgrade $50.
If you already own the game, which millions upon millions do, then you're only being charged $10 for the new version.
While I agree quietly increasing the price isn't the best look, it's really not that outlandish. Especially when you consider there are many other publishers and platform holders that would just ask you to pay $50 for the remaster without offering an upgrade path.
Same thing happened to witcher 3 complete edition.the price went up also.word up son
@get2sammyb People dont want sense Sammy! You know that, but I appreciate you trying anyway 😊
That is sneaky indeed but it makes sense! Since many people are commenting on it, it's clearly an optics problem. I applaud Sony since I got it for free so spending €10 is very acceptable.
@get2sammyb Plus you can get used copies of the game on disc for like $5.
hugs the blu-ray drive in my PS5
@Titntin You're probably right, I'm just trying to see it from both sides. It doesn't sit right with me for that platform.
@get2sammyb Agreed!
Maybe it is because it looks like a simpler upgrade than before. IIRC, The Death Stranding and Ghost of Tsushima upgrades added some more things and the like (both of which I bought and enjoyed greatly, and were released when the games were not as "old"). And this is the same game, expansions and all. Or maybe I am reminding things in the wrong way...
On HZD, I played it, liked it, the game looked (and looks) great, so I don't have any stakes here, hehe. Glad there is the option for an upgrade for folks who love this game.
I updated the article a bit just to add some context because I do feel like that was missing from the original piece. My bad — it's been quite busy today!
Well I still have my original PS4 disc copy, after all of this time.
When I moved house this year, I had to get rid of a lot of stuff. Which I am slowly replacing.
But I still have my original PS4 discs for Horizon, Mirrors Edge Catalyst, and the Uncharted Collection.
@xDD90x What loophole? Getting the PS5 version for $30? If they have to charge more than that for the PS5 version, then either don't offer the $10 upgrade or... don't make the game.
That’s just scummy as can be. This is also an example of why physical is still important. While the digital version increased in price, the physical hasn’t, which I thought the article would be about. But geez, getting real hard to be a PlayStation fan lately with all their sleazy decisions. And I just got my first PS too.
Yeh I bought the complete edition yonks ago for about a tenner, so for me all good, but yeh order it from CEX... long live physical media!!!
@Titntin you replied to the only person that had replied to me, and you said to them "No point talking sense mate people here to hate and they aint gonna get off that train anytime soon." assuming that my criticism was me hating on them, even though i wasn't, if you were talking about anyone else (or everyone in general) then you wouldn't have replied to him specifically. I know i don't have to explain anything to you, because I'm allowed to say whatever i think about this situation, but what i don't appreciate is people misinterpreting what I'm saying (gonna give the benefit of the doubt here).
You have your opinion, and i have mine. You can disagree with me, just don't assume what my intentions are if you don't know them. If i was "hating on them" i wouldn't even have a PlayStation in my house. And the fact that some people are being more harsh towards Sony's decision shouldn't affect other Playstation users at all, it's not as if anyone here works at Sony (at least as far as i know). Some won't care about this whole situation, some will criticize, some will criticize more, that's how things are.
@Intr1n5ic No right or wrong mate, simply a small difference in opinion. If I were a new ps4 player and wanted to experience the game Id either buy pysical, or wait till thecprice dropped back.
I simply weighed the balance: on one side we have very few ps4 owners who might have wanted to pick that game up cheaply digitally.
On the other side of the scale we have millions of us who have paid and played who will now get a £10 upgrade.
On that basis it seems like it was the best choice and certainly not evil! 🤣
Your right to show some concern though..
Typical Sony move 🙄
@windxtravelerx Assuming Im referring to you when I reply to someone else is completely wrong. I didnt even read your post....
So dial it back mate, Im quite clearly reffering to the excessive hate I see all over the replies and it was a comment made in response to the general mood of chat. I replied to that user as to me he was making some sense, nothing to do with you. You can feel how you like, but Id rather you didnt invent a post I never made. I have never said or suggested you should like everything Sony do, you simply invented that.
You are welcome to your own views, but dont assume Im talking to you by proxy because Im not. Should you wish to have a reasoned debate, Im usually up for that, but it was you who tagged me with your reply, I never mentioned or reffered to you and wasnt aware of what you were saying till you posted to me.
Edit. Ive now read your posts and I cant see that you are hating on anything? That makes it even stranger to me that you would choose to think Im talking to you when I havent mentioned you. For what its worth I think you make some valid points.
@Alps_Stranger My point exactly. I agree that they shouldn't have made the remaster, but once they did, they had to determine pricing. Their decision to offer the $10 upgrade and raise the price of the PS4 version was actually less sleazy than the alternative options because most people who are interested in playing HZD have already bought it by now. So the vast majority of players will be getting the game for the low upgrade price—including those who were given it for free—instead of everyone paying $50 as you proposed.
@Titntin Yeah, makes sense. I know you weren't referencing me but to be clear, I'm a million miles away from the evil bandwagon 😄
Do you have any interest in playing through this again? I realised when mentioning how old it was that it's been that long since my only playthrough. I might give a go on the pro if I can find the time.
It is actually £5 in Cex for the standard edition. So you can play the remake for £15...
So here is why so important to retain the physical media, otherwise companies can mess with the prices whenever they want...
@Titntin my logic is that when someone reads a comment that is tagging another user, they probably read the whole interaction before saying anything, so that's why i said what i said and that's why i said i wasn't hating on them too, and now you're aware of that .
Thing is, in Brazil gaming is a very expensive hobby. Today we found out that the PS5 Pro here will cost 7.000 reais, that's almost 7x the minimum wager here. That's a lot of money, like...A LOT. A detachable disc drive is costing around 600 reais. A brand new AAA game costs 350 reais. When i criticize them or any gaming company, i do so with these things in mind. I love my PS5, way more than i expected, but I'm definitely not fond of some stuff Sony is doing.
Anyway, thanks for clarifying your point of view
@Fiendish-Beaver they're a business, not the NHS.
@Intr1n5ic Its actually one of my fave games, and my wife too, so Im pretty happy with the £10 upgrade as Id like to play it again. I believe its been tweaked for pro too, and I ordered one of them this morning! I really liked the story, the creature design and the combat, so Im looking forward to trying it again 😊
Now this is disgusting
@Thumper Aye, us pirates be mighty business savvy
@windxtravelerx I understand, but I genuinely was talking to someone I thought had a similar view, not because of the thread.
I can see how that might cause misunderstanding so you have my appologies for any caused.
Prices in Brazil are scarry! Good luck dealing with that!
You are right to be skeptical of any big corp of course. Profits matter more than us for any of them.
Im glad we cleared any misunderstanding and it was nice to chat to you.
I "get it" that they don't want people to buy the PS4 version for cheap and pay the $10 upgrade fee. But....oh well? The PS4 game fell to $20. End of story. If the $10 upgrade fee is $10, great. This wouldn't be the problem if they weren't backdoor trying to sell the same game as a new game with a gfx mod at full price to begin with. They don't want to sell their gfx mod for a $20 game for $30? Tough cookies to them. Eat it.
Nobody liked Coke's vending machines that changed the price based on how hot it was, nobody liked Wendy's suggesting their digital menu boards would change prices based on how busy they are, both companies had to hang their heads in shame publicly and apologize and back down and give away freebies to make up for it, and now Sony wants to introduce dynamic video game pricing based on how trendy and marketed their newest reskin mod for it is.
@LavenderShroud You do realise that now that the remaster is coming out and Sony has raised the price of the PS4 version it most likely will result in the physical version going up in price, too.
concord damages must be amortized in some way
Is there anyone left who doesn't own this? It's been given away at least twice on plus. I'm sure they gave it away as part of something during Covid too. And its been <£10 for ages on disc too.
Just looked on Amazon UK 14.95 complete edition
Damn, this is.... sketchy. But this is why a digital only future is NOT the way to go. But I fear most gamers won't realise this until it's too late.
There should be a law in place preventing companies from doing scummy stuff like this. But in any case, they should've just made the remaster cost 30$ instead since that would've been a more reasonable price for it. Selling the same old game but with Remaster in the title for 50$ just doesn't make sense.
Removed - flaming/arguing
Will I be able to buy this in a physical PS5 box with PS5 white branding?
Sony is really doing the PC crowd dirty on this one.
The current version of Horizon Zero Dawn is already $49.99. The Remastered version will cost $49.99.
So, anyone buying the game now and upgrading will end up paying $59.99 instead.
This won't go down well at all.
Sony really are a scumbag company these days. Increasing the price of literally everything they think they can get away with. No goodwill left at all.
Increasing the price of a six year old game lol not even surprised by Sony these days
9€ Digital on Instant Gaming
@nicc83 I don’t. But I don’t own a 4 or 5.
@Bentleyma Eh. Not like I’m going to buy it anyway. Still a sleazy thing for Sony to do regardless.
For the Payers
I mean the PlayStation Hits copies are $20 or less? Standard Edition copies probably too. Complete Edition maybe maybe not. I mean the game is old. If we own it then why bother. If Play At Home digital of Complete Edition as well.
Sony or retailers in desperation. XD
Sony changing their mind whenever they feel like it, oh remaster, oh old copies people will be smart about, quick be brtual about it for idiots and us smart ones make it clear our thoughts and how far they get.
Well if you weren't going eh we make the digital rules here and being stupid about it and making better business decisions we wouldn't have to laugh at you so much.
There are some mistakes I can understand, they tried, but ones like this nah to the laughing treatment for this.
Brilliant strategy they have in mind for dumb decisions now and same prior with other projects.
Well... if people didn't get it for like 10 euros with all the chances they got, i don't know why they would care now just because of a slight remaster.
But, if the point is to peddle that Sony has been incredibly greedy and scummy of late, sure, they have been.
Knocking the price up like this is scummy as hell.
I think I claimed it when it was on the COVID free games but I'm unlikely to upgrade as just can't see replaying it.
For those complaining about them remastering it just realise no one is making you buy it
Oh well I’d gotten it for 10 bucks on Black Friday. (Granted I had bought the CE when it launched but trading that in made the game free. So I essentially got the DLC for no charge. )
@Alps_Stranger If you don't own the game already at this point then it was never something you were going for. Look online and get a secondhand version. Digital they gave it away for free how much insensitive do you need to get the game?
Which was precisely my point, @Starkei. We are wallets to be emptied! They have no concern for us whatsoever...
@LavenderShroud You think the game is a 4 or 5? The why even complain at this point you don't like why even get the upgrade.
Sony being Sony.
They used to sell the PS5 version of HFW 10€/$ more than the PS4 version on the eShop. BUT the PS4 version also included the PS5 version.
Capitalism is terrorism, just in a different form.
@Flaming_Kaiser I meant I don’t own a PS4 or PS5.
Law of offer and demand. Most people seem to live in la la land, where a business must exist to provide charity rather than make a profit. Obviously if something is in demand, a business will charge more for it, the opposite happens when demand drops. As a consumer you have the option of simply not buying and letting that be your message to the seller. It's not like we're talking about the price of bread or water. Gaming is a luxury, not essential to life.
@LavenderShroud Ah ok then you didn't own the game yet just buy it secondhand.
It's a remaster that nobody needed or wanted.
The total amount of money Sony would have made with the original price and upgrade price on top was already more than this pointless thing was worth.
This is just another shining example of Sony shafting people.
It's also hilarious how quickly this story disappeared from the list of articles on this site.
@MrMagic my man!
@Matthewnh always, forever, will discs be superior to "licenses". If the 6 skips the disc drive it won't enter my household, ever!
I have such a collection, I won't need any more games, anyways.
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